Baptist Union in the Czech Republic

The Baptists in the Czech Republic are members of the Baptist Union in the Czech Republic. The Czech name of this covenant is: Bratrská Jednota Baptistů v České Republice.

History

First Baptist mission work in the Czech Republic began in the 50s of the 19th century. At that time, the Czech territories were part of the Austro -Hungarian monarchy.

Mark Knappe, a German Baptist pastor, began in these years, the area around Broumov to tour regularly. His main interest was in the German-speaking population of the region. On March 18, 1884, founded the first Baptist church in the village Hleďsebe (Bohemia ). She called herself congregation of baptized believers.

Only a few years later, the congregation moved its main activity Hleďsebe to Prague. Already in 1915 there were 15 Baptist churches in the Czech Republic, who joined forces in 1919 to a community covenant with the name The Unity of Brethren Chelčický. In 1950, the name was changed; the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention was now called Bratrská Jednota Baptistů v České Republice.

1960 formed within the former Czechoslovakia two regional associations, the Bohemian- Moravian and Slovak. By 1993, they remained united under the umbrella of the said Baptist Union.

After the division of Czechoslovakia into two independent states Czech Republic and Slovakia also parted the two associations and formed independent national frets. As before, however, exists between the two frets intensive cooperation, expressed among others in the publication of a joint hymnal and the common magazine Rozsievač.

Organization and statistics

The most important organ of the Baptists in the Czech Republic is the delegates' conference of the Association of Municipalities. Once a year, this conference shall meet and decide on all important matters of the Czech Baptists. Among other things, the conference also elects a five-member governing body that conducts the business of the Federation. Seat of the federal is Prague.

The Czech Baptist Union is a member of the European Baptist Federation and the Baptist World Alliance. He also worked with the World Council of Churches in the Czech Republic.

A Bible school in Olomouc ( founded in 1992 ) offers a three-year study of theology. To graduate a full study of theology with the possibility of offering the International Theological Seminary in Prague.

To the Federation of Czech Baptists include 2335 members (excluding children and friends ) who gather in 26 autonomous local congregations.